204 BUrrOKIA. [CLASS iv. ORDXBII. 



2. S. me'dia, Smith, ^Fig. 261.) oblong Burnet. Spikes cylindrical. 



English Flora, vol. i. p. 219. Lindley, Synopsis, p. 103. Hooker* 

 British Flora, vol. i. p. 76. 



" Taller and larger than the foregoing, with a much longer and truly 

 cylindrical spike, of rather pale flowers. Mr. Don, who sent it, had 

 scarcely an idea of its being more than a variety." 



Habitat. Pastures in the West of Scotland Mr. G. Don. 



Perennial ; flowering in July. 



This plant we only know from cultivated specimens, and from these 

 our drawing has been made. The spike is longer, and the flowers 

 paler, than in S. officina'lis; but whether these characters are constant, 

 and sufficient to distinguish it as a species, experience must prove. 



ORDER II. 



DIGYN'IA. 2 PISTILS. 



GENUS XVII. BUFFO'NIA. SAUVACES. Buffonia. 

 Nat Ord. CARYOPHYL'LEJE. 



GEN. CHAR. Calyx of four pieces. Corolla of four entire petals. 

 Capsule compressed, one-celled, two-valved, two-seeded. Name 

 given by Sauvages in honour of the celebrated Bvffon y " who had 

 indeed very slender pretensions to botanical honour ; a circum- 

 stance supposed to have been indicated by Linnaeus in the specific 

 name tenuifolia." Smith. 



1. B. an'nua, De Candolle, (Fig. 262.) annual Buffonia. Stem 

 loosely panicled from the base, with short, spreading, firm branches ; 

 furrows on the calyx straight, parallel ; capsules scarcely so long 

 as the calyx ; leaves subulate, spreading at the base. 



Lindley, Synopsis, p. 47. Hooker, British Flora, vol. i. p. 74. 



B. tenuifo'lia, English Botany, 1. 1813. English Flora, vol. i. p. 

 226. 



Root fibrous. Stem erect, about six inches high, round, smooth, 

 alternately branched, leafy. Leaves erect, opposite, awl-shaped, three- 

 ribbed, dilated and somewhat sheathing at the base. Flowers erect, 

 small, white, solitary, on the rougbish terminal and axillary stalks. 

 Calyx of four lanceolate, three-ribbed pieces, with rather broad, white, 

 membranous margins. Corolla of four oblong, entire, white petals, 

 shorter than the calyx. Capsule flattish, ovate, of one cell and two 

 waives, containing two large, ovate, compressed, roughish teed*. 



